Mount Emei

Mount Emei, a sacred mountain for Buddhists in China, stands towering the southwestern part of the Sichuan Basin. Its summit the Wanfo (Tens of Thousands of Buddhas) Peak rises up to 3099m in altitude and the whole mountainous area covers more than 4 square kilometers. Seen from afar, the undulating mountain silhouette looks like the face and long eyebrows of a demure young lady; hence the name Emei (long eyebrows).

Mount Emei is known for its picturesque landscape and legendary Buddhist sites. It possesses geographical and topographic varieties as well as well-preserved environment. High mountains, deep valleys, secluded forests with all kinds of birds chirping and chattering provide tourists enjoyment and serenity. Taking a bird’s eye view from Jinding (the Golden Summit), one can enjoy all the wonders of sunrise, cloud sea, Buddha’s halo (the famed precious Emei lights) as well as sunset glow. In the west, snowy peaks like Gongga, Wawu seem to extend and connect the sky; in the south, the Wanfo Peak presents a magnificent picture with waving clouds; and in the north, the vast expanse of the green plain like brocade with the Dadu River and Qingyi River embellished in between. Mount Emei is also the paradise for plants and animals; in particular, the Emei monkeys, which are not scared of people and can play with tourists, have been a unique attraction known by the world.

Early in the 1st century A.D., one of the first Buddhist temples in China was built in Mount Emei, and the addition of other temples in the surrounding areas in the following 2000 years turned the site into one of Buddhism's main sacred sites. There are about 30 temples and monasteries at present, among which the Baoguo Temple, the Wannian Temple, and the Qingyin Pavilion are the most famous ones. Those temples abound with Buddhist statues made of materials like clay, wood, jade and bronze and iron. These statues are vividly and exquisitely made, many of which are national treasures.